Imperial County is one of the hardest hit by COVID-19 in the state. Nearly 21,000 people have tested positive for the coronavirus there. That represents more than 10% of the county's population. 406 people have died of complications from the virus.
The El Centro Regional Medical Center is bearing the brunt of the coronavirus in the Imperial Valley. In March it had a 6 bed ICU capacity. Now, that has increased to 49 beds, with 20 others that can be converted if they have the staff to care for patients. Of the hospital's 186 patients, 130 have COVID-19, according to the hospital.
"We have expanded outside in the facility itself, you'll see us busting at the seams in the parking lot," medical center CEO Adolphe Edward said. "We're kind of physically beyond the capability of the structure itself."
As of Thursday, the were no ICU beds available. However, Edward said they expect two ICU beds to become available Friday.
The medical center currently has a 50-bed tent in its parking lot with two more being built to expand the emergency department.
RELATED: Imperial County Hit Hard By Second Wave Of Coronavirus Cases
Some relief is expected to come in the form of a field medical facility on an otherwise unused floor at Palomar Hospital in San Diego County. Governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that it was being activated.
RELATED: San Diego County Officials Urge Caution Around Holidays As COVID-19 Cases Surge
According to the California Office of Emergency Services, the field hospital will serve "the wider San Diego region with a particular eye towards decompressing overburdened hospitals in Imperial County."
Members of the California National Guard began preparing the site Wednesday, Cal OES said, and up to 20 patients may be able to be transferred there as soon as Friday. The site is expected to be able to accommodate 200 patients.
"Palomar is coming in at very critical timing, because we don't want to turn any patients away," Edward said in an interview with KPBS Midday Edition.
Edward warned of a very dark winter in the Imperial Valley if residents defy stay-at-home orders and instead get together with family and friends for the holidays.
"We ask people to think about their loved ones for 2021. Make sure they're there for next Christmas, not this Christmas," he said. "Please stay at home, please wash your hands and please keep the mask on."
